Assessment of the Health Management System (HSE) and its Determinants in Iranian Schools: A National Study

Objective:�Schoolstudents'�healthisconsideredasasustainableandconfidentassetforthe� development of human resources. This study aimed to assess the health management system (HSE) and its determinants in Iranian schools. Methodology:� Thisstudywasconductedin� 2009� throughadministrationofa� 64-item� questionnairein�120�schoolsinfiveIranianprovinceswhereanHSEsystemhasbeenestablished� and running. Results:�Itshowedthattherewasnorelationshipbetweengender,�typeofschoolmanagement� (publicschool,�nonpublicschool�-�privateschool),�levelsofeducation,�andownershipofschools� withtheimplementationofHSEregulations.�Therewasonlysomerelationshipbetweenthe� IranianprovincesandtheimplementationofHSEregulations�(p�<�0.001)�whicheithercouldbe� associated to level of culture and education in the provinces, or to the lack of support on the part of relevant authorities. Nevertheless, the study which was conducted in schools with such HealthManagementSystemsestablishedandrunning,�showed,�unlikeapreviousstudyin�2007� which pointed to a very poor HSE performance in the schools, that there are no schools with poorHSErecordsandthatinfact�40.8%��oftheschoolsenjoyhighlevelsofHSEstandards. Conclusion:�Thisstudydemonstratedthat�"theplanofEstablishmentandMaintenanceofthe� HSEManagementSystemandgradingofschools"�onthesamebasisasasocialinitiativerunning� onasystematicapproachhasbeenconducivetothepromotionofheathinschoolsacrossthe� country.